O'Driscoll, E.S.T.; Campbell, Ingrid B.

Abstract

In the Australian continental structure, E-W (latitudinal) crustal discontinuities of transregional dimensions are compared with similar latitude-related ore-bearing lineaments recognised in the North American continent by Heyl (1972) and Kutina (1969; 1974; 1980). These, and similar Australian examples, are compared with observations of simulations made with kinematic experimental models (Mead, 1920; O'Driscoll, 1962; 1965). In Australia, there is clear evidence of oscillatory (reversible) E-W crustal shear movements lurking covertly beneath the facade of divergently oriented lithologies in supracrustal rocks. They correspond to observed patterns of divergent lineaments which are derived from them, such as en echelon alignments which develop in several systematic directions. It is concluded that latitudinal lineaments indicate a global system of E-W basement shearing which may logically be attributed to non-uniform global shear stresses operating parallel to the direction of terrestrial rotation.